Hello, fellow makers! I’m so excited to share a delightful project that’s perfect for adding a touch of sunshine to your home or creating a thoughtful handmade gift. This crochet sunflower coaster and basket set is truly a joy to make – it’s quick, uses simple stitches, and is incredibly satisfying to see come to life.
What I love most about this pattern is how approachable it is, even for intermediate beginners. If you’re comfortable with basic stitches and working in the round, you’ll find these instructions clear and easy to follow. Plus, it’s a fantastic stash-buster project, utilizing small amounts of yarn to create something both beautiful and practical. Imagine a set of these cheerful coasters brightening up your coffee table, neatly tucked away in their matching basket!
We’ll be making individual sunflower coasters, worked in rounds, and a coordinating basket to keep them tidy. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions for each piece, ensuring you can create a complete, charming set. Let’s get started and bring some sunny vibes into your crafting!
Sunflower Coasters & Basket Crochet Pattern
Materials
- Yarn: #3 light (light worsted, DK, 8ply) cotton blend or 100% cotton yarn, skein weight 1.76 ounces/50 grams (103 yards/95 meters)
- Color A: 1 skein dark brown (flower center) – enough for six coasters
- Color B: 1 skein gold (flower petals) – only a small portion needed
- Color C: 1 skein green (basket) – about half a skein needed
- Hook: 3.75 mm
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Finished Size
- Coaster Size: Approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) from petal tip to petal tip
- Basket Size: Approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) in diameter and 1.5 inches (4 cm) in height
Yarn Information
Cotton yarn is highly recommended for coasters due to its absorbency, durability, heat resistance, and ability to hold its shape. Acrylic yarn can be used but may be less absorbent and prone to flattening over time. DK / light worsted (#3) weight yarn creates a neat, lightweight coaster, while thicker yarns will result in larger, chunkier coasters, and thinner yarns will create smaller, more delicate pieces.
Hook and Tools
You will need a 3.75 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
Abbreviations
- BL — back of loop
- ch — chain stitch
- col — color
- dc — double crochet
- DC2CL — double crochet 2 cluster
- DC3CL — double crochet 3 cluster
- hdc — half double crochet
- hk — hook
- lp/lps — loop/loops
- MR — magic ring
- prev — previous
- rnd — round
- rpt — repeat
- sc — single crochet
- sk — skip
- sl st — slip stitch
- sp/sps — space/spaces
- st/sts — stitch/stitches
- YO — yarn over
- [] — at the end of a round indicates the number of stitches in that round.
Pattern Notes
- The chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as 1 double crochet.
- The chain 2 at the beginning of a round counts as 1 half double crochet.
- The chain 1 at the beginning of a round counts as 1 single crochet.
- For the coaster center, you can choose between a foundation ring or a magic ring. A magic ring allows you to pull the center tight for a hole-free look.
- Gauge is not critical for this project, but matching the provided gauge will ensure your finished items are the same size as the pattern.
Gauge
15 double crochet stitches x 10 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) square.
Special Stitches
- Back of Loop (BL): Work into the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops. This creates texture and helps shape the petals. In a top-down view, the back loop is the loop furthest away from you.
- Double Crochet 2 Cluster (DC2CL): 2 double crochets worked into the same stitch, joined together as one. Abbreviated as: dc2CL = 2 dc in same stitch, joined with chain 1. This creates fuller stitches for a decorative round on the basket.
- Double Crochet 3 Cluster (DC3CL): 3 double crochets worked into the same stitch and joined together as one. Abbreviated as: dc3CL = 3 dc in same stitch, joined with chain 1. This forms fuller stitches for a decorative edge around the basket.
Instructions
Sunflower Coaster
To Begin: Using Color A (brown), start with either a foundation ring or a magic ring.
- Foundation Ring: Chain 3, then insert hook into the first chain stitch and join with a slip stitch to form a circle.
- Magic Ring: Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 17 dc into the center ring. Join with sl st at top of ch 3. If using a magic ring, pull the circle tight. [18 dc]
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in the same space as ch 3, then make 2 dc into each stitch of the previous round. Join with sl st in top of ch 3, ch 1, and fasten off. [36 dc]
Round 3: Using Color B (gold), sl st into any ch-5 sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same sp as ch 3, ch 5, 2 dc in next st. *Skip 2 stitches, 2 dc in the next st, ch 5, 2 dc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Sl st into top of ch 3. [18 x 2 dc, 9 x ch 5-sps]
Round 4: Sl st into a ch-5 sp. Work (5 dc, ch 3, 1 hdc into base of ch 3, 5 dc) in the same ch-5 sp, 1 sc in the next sp. *(5 dc, ch 3, 1 hdc into base of ch 3, 5 dc) in the next ch-5 sp, 1 sc in the next sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Sl st into the top of the first dc, ch 1, and fasten off. Weave in ends.
You have now crocheted one sunflower coaster. Repeat these steps to make additional coasters as desired.
Matching Storage Basket
To Begin: Using Color C (green), start with either a foundation ring or a magic ring.
- Foundation Ring: Chain 3, then insert hook into the first chain stitch and join with a slip stitch to form a circle.
- Magic Ring: Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 17 dc into the foundation ring. Join with sl st in top of ch 3. If using a magic ring, pull the circle tight. [18 dc]
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), make 1 dc in the same sp as ch 3, then 2 dc in each st of the prev rnd. Join with sl st in top of ch 3. [36 dc]
Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each st of prev rnd. Sl st in top of ch 3. [36 dc]
Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st.* Repeat from * to * to the end of rnd. Sl st in top of ch 3. [54 dc]
Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each st of the prev rnd. Sl st in top of ch 3. [54 dc]
Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. *1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * to the end of the round. Sl st into the top of ch 2. [72 hdc]
This completes the base of the basket. It should be approximately the same size as your sunflower coaster from petal tip to petal tip.
Round 7: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), work 1 sc into the back loops (BL) of all the stitches of the previous round. Sl st into top of ch 1. [72 sc]
Round 8: Ch 3, DC2CL (counts as 1 DC3CL) in same sp as ch 3, ch 1, sk 1 st. *1 DC3CL in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st.* Repeat from * to * to end of rnd. Sl st into the top of ch 3. [36 DC3CL and 36 ch-1 sps]
Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in top of DC3CL of previous round. *1 dc in next sp, 1 dc in top of DC3CL of previous round.* Repeat from * to * to end of the round. Sl st into the top of ch 3. [72 dc]
Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), 1 hdc in each st of the prev rnd. Sl st in top of ch 2. [72 hdc]
Round 11: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), 1 sc in each st of the prev rnd. Sl st in top of ch 1, ch 1, and fasten off. Weave in ends. [72 sc]
Finishing
Once you have completed your coasters and basket, weave in all loose ends securely using a yarn needle. For the coasters, gently shape them for the best final appearance:
- Place the coaster on a flat surface.
- Hold it down gently with one hand.
- Carefully pull each petal outward with the other hand. This helps open up the sunflower shape and improve symmetry.
For an even more polished finish, you may wish to block your coasters. Blocking involves lightly wetting or steaming the finished piece and shaping it to the correct size. This helps even out stitches, improve structure, and create a flatter, more professional finish.
For the basket, ensure all ends are fastened tightly to maintain its shape and durability.
Olivia’s Tips
I find that choosing the right yarn makes a huge difference in how much you’ll love your finished project. For these coasters, cotton is really ideal because it’s so absorbent and durable. If you’re looking to personalize your set, don’t shy away from experimenting with different color combinations! A classic yellow and brown always looks lovely, but you could try vibrant oranges and reds for an autumnal feel, or soft pastels for a delicate touch.
When working in the round, especially with increases, it’s easy to lose track of your stitch count. Using a stitch marker at the beginning of each round can be a lifesaver! Also, try to maintain consistent tension throughout your work. This will ensure your coasters lie flat and your basket maintains its shape. If your basket feels a little floppy, try using a slightly smaller hook or practicing with a tighter tension.
Remember, practice makes perfect. If your first coaster isn’t flawless, that’s completely normal! Enjoy the process, and soon you’ll have a beautiful set of handmade sunflower coasters and a matching basket.